Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-01-21
SNArCHED FROM THE GUILLOrINE.
Proof That Will-Power Remains
After Decapitation.
A Command Given in the Ear of
the Trunkless Head
Finds Response in the Opening of One
CHASTITY Eye.

was seated. dressed in the convicts
garb, in the cell of the condemned. He
leaned upon the back of his chair. silent
and motionless. with his eyes upon the
wall before him. fixed and vacant. The
rays from the candle on the table be-
side him showed distinctly his white
and impressive face. Two steps away a
guardian of the prison, upright and
with folded arms. leaned against the
window and watched him.
Nearly always in these terrible pris-
ons the prisoners are forced to perform
daily labor upon II salary from which
the Government reserves a certain por-
ton to pay for shroud in case of
death-a shroud which it never furnish
es Only those who are condemned to
death are given exemption from toll.
The prisoner was one of those who do
not join in the amusements allowed
them. and in his face could be read
neither hope nor fear. Thirty years of
-- age, of medium height, with dark
complexion and hair slightly gray on
the temples, quick, nervous eye. and
low decided vo ce. his appearance indi-
Gated both culture and thought
Before the Court of Assizes Mons. de
la Pommerais had just been tired and
convicted of having administered, with
reconciliation and for purposes of gain,
fatal doses of digitalis to one of his
FOL ha1
been pronounced upon him.
Up to this evening. the 4th of June,
he was still ignorant whether his
prayer for clemency had been granted
or refused by the Emperor the vener-
able Able Crozier. who had gone to
the Tuilleries rs suppliant, having re-
turned without an answer In the
opinion of the Court. however. the
petition for appeal was no longer a
question. and Mons Heindrich.
THE EXECUTIoNER, SIMPLY AWAITED
The order-a mere formality-to de-
liver to him the condemned ION the
morning of the 9Th. at five o'clock.
Suddenly the clash of stacking guns
was heard upon the stones of the corri-
dor. the lock turned heavily, and
from the shadowy darkness the Cover
nor of Roquette. accompanied by n
gentleman, appeared upon the TIRES
hold. Mons. de la Pommerias, raising
bis head, recognized in his visitor tn e
celebrated surgeon. Armand Velpeau.
On sign from Velpeau the guardian
and the Governor discreetly retired,
leaving the two colleagues alone. up
right and face to face. Silently point
ing to his own chair. the only one in
Ihe cell. La Pommerais seated himself
upon the bed. the bed from which un-
happy victims were reused with start.
ignorant until that instant that their
hour had come, and waited for his
visitor to speak. Velpeau, in his six
tieth year was at the height of his re-
uown, and the foremost professor of
chemical surgery in Paris. He had
also written works upon psychological
surgery so clear and concise that they
had placed him among the leading
light of the present century.
Monsieur he began, after mo-
ment of silence. las physicians we
should spare each other useless condo
lence. Besides. an affection of the
heart classes me, with perhaps the de-
Law of a year. in the ranks of the con-
demned myself. Let us come, then, to
facts. and without preambles "
"Is my judicial position, then, so des-
perate?' interrupted Pommerais.
Il fear So replied Velpeau, quietly;
'but, as nothing has been changed. you
can count upon a few more days. I'm
til your appeal has been rejected, the
proposition | am here to make is, OF
of course, conditional. If the pardon
arrives, so much the better; if not"
what thenp" demanded Pom
merais.
Without replying, the surgeon drew
from his pocket small instrume nj
case, took from it lancet, and, rip
ping open the shirt sleeve, laid Their
mometer upon the wrist of the con-
demned.
Your pulse. Mons Pommerais," he
said at last, reveals except onal firm
ness and GOODNESS; but the object hope
TO accomplish through you, aud which
must be held an absolute secret, may
seem, even to man of your energy,
brain and freedom from fantastic fears
Of death, an outrage. Nevertheless.
IS a physician. Bag that you will give
attentive consideration to what may at
frst be appalling"
"You have it." Monsieur, said Pom
merais, calmly.
Good" continued Velpeau. you
are far from being ignorant" he con-
tinued, that
ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING CUES
NJ modern acence is to know not